Wine

I am finally starting to settle back in to my routine after having my family from New Jersey visit all last week. We live in a town in South Carolina where there was 100% totality for the solar eclipse and the experience was extraordinary and breathtaking. Toward the end of last week, my husbands boss blessed us with an act of kindness that we really appreciated. I knew I wanted to make a special thank-you card for him because I really derive a ton of satisfaction from gratitude. There is just something about a thank-you card that gives you the warm and fuzzies and really makes you believe in the positive in people! I am using the Concord & 9th Petals and Pallets Stamp and Die Set today for this card. Read more

The August 2017 Hero Arts “My Monthly Hero” Kit is sold out (they go quickly), but I always like showing you what I created with mine so that you can sign up for the monthly kit and receive next month’s if you feel like it’s something you’d use. This month is all about dreamy scenes with the moon, stars, and clouds. It came with a coordinating stamp and die set, a fancy window die cut (which I used for the frame of this card), sequins, shimmer mists, a stencil, and that gorgeous patterned paper you see underneath my card. I created a shaker card with the sequins and kept the scene fairly simple so that the stamp set could really shine. Read more

This year, I’ve had my very closest friend go through some really hard things. Heck, I’ve been through some really difficult things this year myself. When I think back to those times, I consider how nice it was to have someone…anyone send me a sweet note of encouragement, whether that was in the form of a text, a Facebook message, or a card. I like to have these kinds of cards on hand to give to those I love when they’re going through something tough. It’s a little reminder to keep holding on and that life will get better. To make this card extra cheerful, I used Simon Says Stamps Artsy Fruits to add a whimsical, carefree feel to the sentiment. Read more

I absolutely adore this set from Hampton Art and Mama Elephant. Not only is it ridiculously cute and versatile (the images could easily work as a birthday card), but it’s inexpensive for those crafters who are on a budget. It contains 8 stamps and 7 dies as a full set and it is under $13, so you just can’t go wrong. I decided to make the little critters look like they were floating up and away in the sky by holding onto the balloons. You could easily swap out the encouraging sentiment for a birthday one and send someone a very colorful birthday card! Read more

Mermaids are my jam. I even had pastel turquoise hair for an entire year in 2015! When I saw the Mermaid’s Tail Stamp Set and Coordinating Dies on Ellen Hutson (designed by Julie Ebersole), I lost it. I had to have it because it was just so stinkin’ cute. The sentiments in this stamp set are also a total riot and will probably bring a huge smile to your face (“Mermaids Don’t Have Thigh Gaps”). The sass is strong in this stamp set, but there’s also really great everyday sentiments such as “Just Keep Swimming” and “Seas The Day.” I decided to make this an encouragement card because when I think of looking to lift someone’s mood, I think of bright, cheerful colors and patterns and this card packs a punch in that department. Read more

I’ll let you in on a little secret…I am a major space nerd. I also happen to live in a town in South Carolina where the upcoming solar eclipse can be seen in totality for one of the longest times across America! I’ve been drawn to everything space related as a result and I’ve been reaching for my Lawn Fawn “Out of this World” Stamp Set and Coordinating Dies. I had so much fun making the galaxy background and while there are endless techniques to creating one, I used a little ink and a little watercolor combined. Read more